Through the lens of social science, eduwonkette takes a serious, if sometimes irreverent, look at some of the most contentious education policy debates. (Find eduwonkette's complete archives prior to Jan. 6, 2008 here.)

In NYC, Tis the Season for Sacrifice

A few weeks ago, a solemn President Bush revealed that he honors our soldiers' sacrifice by abstaining from golf. "I think playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal," he explained.

It was in this spirit that Chancellor Joel Klein appeared before the City Council this morning. Klein dedicated his presentation to the heroic central cuts endured by his bureaucracy. While salty tears welled up in my eyes, I noticed that one slide was missing. Paragons of restraint that they are, the New York City Department of Education has only increased central staffing levels by 18% over the last three years. In October 2004, there were 1984 central staff. By February 2008 there were only 2350.

Some administrative divisions of Tweed, though, are hurting more than others. Please stand while I salute these departmental role models:

* In October 2004, the Department of Assessment and Accountability had 19 staff. In February 2008, they had 80 - that's only a 321% increase.

* In October 2004, the Division of Human Resources had only 235 staff. In February 2008, they had 370 - a 57% increase.

* In October 2004, the Office of New Schools had 14 staff. In February 2008, its spawn, the Office of Portfolio Development, had 36 - a 157% increase. (See 2005 and 2008 data for all headcount figures; these are central staff paid for with tax-levied funds.)

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You may only be scatching the surface. Maybe this is Klein's strategy for dealing with people who don't like teaching --create enough bureaucratic positions for them. Just about every person in the IDABT category - I'll Do Anything But Teach - managed to land a job where they don't have to do any teaching. They are tucked away in schools and who knows where else. Many of them spend serious time trying to secure their next DOE gig in case the next reorganization comes out of nowhere. I have confidence they will. I wish I could say more, but I'd need a food taster.